The protests launched by the US fast food workers, who are demanding raise of the minimum wage in the country to USD 15 (£9.57) an hour, on Thursday expanded to 190 cities, with the movement reaching a two-year anniversary.
The fast food workers and union organisers thronged the streets of cities from Boston to Chicago, marching outside of various McDonalds outlets.
The protesters have gained some amount of success in their motives in cities like San Francisco and Seattle, with both the cities raising the minimum wage of fast food workers.
US President Barack Obama has also extended his support for the cause but has called for peaceful demonstrations.
The movement, which has been named “Fight for 15”, has organised eight protests and staged walk-outs in the past two years. But the organizers called the Thursday’s efforts as their biggest yet.
The fast food workers, home-health aids, airport employees and other workers have raised their reservations against the current federal minimum wage of USD 7.25, calling it inadequate for allowing a good life for the workers.
The Service Employees International Union is backing the campaign by providing the financial and organisational support to the effort.
They have also imposed pressure on big food chains like McDonalds, Burger King and others for raising wages of their employees. Moreover, the union is also seeking support from the local politicians to take up the serious issue during elections.
Reacting to the ongoing protests by the fast food workers, McDonalds said that the decision of wage hike purely rests with the individual franchise owners as it is not necessary that the protesting group represents the opinions of all of the food chain employees.
“It’s important to know approximately 90 percent of our US restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees who set wages according to job level and local and federal laws,” McDonalds said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the labour analysts said that the so-called “Fight for 15” movement has gained momentum as it has successfully capitalised on the growing focus on income inequality in the light of the 2010 Occupy movement and also because it managed to make canny organisational choices from the beginning.
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